Venous stasis. DVT and subsequent v

Venous stasis. DVT and subsequent venous thromboembolism are serious threats. In SCI, loss of vascular and muscle tone causes venous stasis. Coupled with immobility and initiation of the clotting cascade (caused by trauma), venous stasis puts patients at high risk for blood clots—a risk that remains high for up to 3 months after the injury.
Venous stasis prophylaxis includes immediate application of pneumatic compression sleeves, along with subtherapeutic heparin or enoxaparin initiated 72 hours after the injury, once the bleeding risk resolves. In cases of blood clot formation, the patient may receive an implantable filter in addition to conventional anticoagulant therapy.